The Essence of CI/CD Security

The CTO and co-founder of Citer Security, in a recent presentation, addressed the challenges and significance of CI/CD security in the current fast-paced engineering landscape. He emphasized the need for security to adapt to the speed and velocity of the engineering train, emphasizing the changing role of security from being a blocker to becoming an enabler within organizations.

The Evolving Engineering Ecosystem

With the rapid evolution and adoption of new technologies, the engineering ecosystem has become complex, comprising a myriad of systems, processes, and interconnected objects. The shift towards continuous integration and continuous delivery processes, coupled with the management of entire data centers through configuration files, has brought about significant changes, posing new challenges for security.

Adapting to the Pace of Change

Security, in its efforts to defend these dynamic environments, is required to gain an intimate understanding of the inner workings of the engineering ecosystem. This includes familiarity with code repositories, pipelines, permissions, and the overall flow from development to production. Such knowledge is essential for identifying and addressing potential security risks effectively.

The Increasing Focus on Engineering Environments

The speaker highlighted that sophisticated attackers are increasingly targeting engineering environments, as evidenced by high-profile attacks and breaches throughout the year. These attacks have raised concerns about the security posture of CI/CD pipelines and the potential impact on the broader engineering landscape.

Introducing CI/CD Security Disciplines: SIP, SOP, and SAP

In response to these challenges, Citer has defined three key disciplines: SIP (Security in the Pipeline), SOP (Security of the Pipeline), and SAP (Security Around the Pipeline), which form the foundations of an effective CI/CD security program.

SIP - Security in the Pipeline

SIP focuses on identifying security flaws and misconfigurations within the code by mapping systems storing code and utilizing relevant scanning tools. The goal is to detect and address security issues in a manner tailored to the organization's technology stack while integrating scanners effectively into the development process.

SOP - Security of the Pipeline

SOP delves into ensuring the security posture and settings of critical systems such as source control, CI, artifact repositories, and container registries. This pillar aims to fortify these systems against a range of potential attacks targeting the CI/CD pipeline.

SAP - Security Around the Pipeline

SAP is aimed at preventing the bypassing of the pipeline by implementing effective controls and measures to ensure that all production-originating code flows through the designated pipeline, with minimal risk of direct interference.

Key Takeaways for App Sec and Engineering Teams

The speaker emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach that extends beyond traditional code scanning, calling for collaboration between security and engineering teams. Additionally, he urged engineers to be patient with security teams as they adapt to the evolving landscape. Lastly, the speaker playfully addressed potential hackers, humorously suggesting a period of rest after the numerous incidents in 2021.

In conclusion, the essence of CI/CD security lies in enabling the engineering train to move at an accelerated pace while ensuring robust security measures are in place to mitigate potential risks and threats. Understanding the intricate technical DNA and implementing the SIP, SOP, and SAP disciplines are essential components of building an effective CI/CD security program.